Granit Xhaka Transfer Back on Juve’s Radar

Granit Xhaka transfer talk sprang back to life on Tuesday as Juventus reopened negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen, keen to pounce after AC Milan’s proposed deal for the Swiss midfielder collapsed at the final hurdle. Sources in Turin confirm that sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has already sounded out Xhaka’s camp over personal terms, while Leverkusen expect an official offer before the end of the month.

Why the Granit Xhaka transfer appeals to Juventus

Juventus are rebuilding their midfield to fit Massimiliano Allegri’s evolving 3-5-2 shape, and the Granit Xhaka transfer would deliver a leader who marries grit with ball-progression skills. The 31-year-old’s 89% pass accuracy in the Bundesliga, coupled with an average of 2.1 key passes per 90 minutes, highlights a profile that the Bianconeri currently lack. Admirers in Turin also note his track record of staying fit—he missed only three league games in five full seasons at Arsenal before joining Leverkusen last summer.

From London to Leverkusen: the Swiss star’s recent resurgence

Xhaka left the Premier League amid doubts about his temperament, but under Xabi Alonso he has refined his discipline, collecting just four yellow cards in 28 league matches. His long-range distribution remains lethal; no Bundesliga midfielder attempted more progressive passes than the Swiss captain last term. Those metrics explain why Milan pushed hard for him in June—only for disagreements on salary structure to scupper the move.

Contract details and fee expectations for the Granit Xhaka transfer

Bayer Leverkusen insist they are not a “selling club,” yet club CEO Fernando Carro is realistic. Insiders suggest a bid of €25–27 million, rising to €32 million with bonuses, would be enough. Juventus believe Xhaka’s age and contract—he has three years left—keep the price within reach. The player earns a reported €4.5 million net in Germany; Juve are prepared to offer a four-year deal worth around €5 million net, plus performance incentives tied to Champions League qualification.

How Xhaka would fit into Allegri’s system

Allegri values midfielders who can shield the back three while launching quick vertical transitions. Locatelli has carried that burden almost alone, with mixed success. The Granit Xhaka transfer would admit a natural regista who can slide between the centre-backs, dictate tempo and unleash Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic earlier in counter-attacks. His leadership could also accelerate the development of youngsters Nicolò Fagioli and Fabio Miretti.

Juventus’ alternative midfield targets

While Xhaka tops the list, Juve retain interest in Atalanta’s Emil Hjulmand and Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma. Hjulmand offers a younger, box-to-box option, while Bissouma’s ball-winning statistics rival Europe’s elite. However, both would cost more than Xhaka and lack Champions League experience. For a side balancing books after two seasons without the Scudetto, pragmatism may tip the scale toward the Swiss.

Competition from abroad and Serie A rivals

The Granit Xhaka transfer is not a foregone conclusion. Atletico Madrid were linked earlier in the window, and the emergence of Saudi clubs as big-money suitors cannot be ignored. Yet reports indicate the player’s priority remains top-level European football—something Juve can guarantee if they secure a return to the Champions League next spring. Milan are unlikely to re-enter due to Financial Fair Play constraints, leaving Juventus in pole position.

Fan reaction and dressing-room dynamics

On social media, Juventus supporters have been divided. Some fear Xhaka’s fiery reputation could clash with Allegri’s rigid discipline; others remember his man-of-the-match display for Switzerland against Italy at Euro 2020 and see him as the missing piece. Former Juve captain Claudio Marchisio weighed in on Sky Italia, calling Xhaka “the kind of warrior Juventus built their dynasty on.”

Financial fair play and the Granit Xhaka transfer

Juve’s accountants are confident the deal can be structured through installments, echoing the Manuel Locatelli purchase from Sassuolo in 2021. Player sales—most likely Weston McKennie or Denis Zakaria—would free salary space. Crucially, the amortised cost of Xhaka’s fee across four years would sit comfortably below UEFA’s squad cost ratio threshold, keeping Juve compliant as the new regulations tighten.

What Xhaka brings off the pitch

Beyond tactics and finance, Allegri craves dressing-room clout. Xhaka captained both Arsenal and Switzerland, speaks five languages and is renowned for mentoring younger teammates. His arrival could soften the leadership void left by Giorgio Chiellini’s departure in 2022 and Leonardo Bonucci’s reduced role.

Timeline: when could the Granit Xhaka transfer be completed?

Leverkusen begin preseason on July 8, and Alonso wants clarity before then. Juventus hope to agree personal terms within the next 10 days and submit a formal bid prior to that reporting date. If negotiations progress smoothly, Xhaka could be unveiled in black and white before mid-July, giving him a full tour of the United States during Juve’s summer friendlies.

The bigger picture for Serie A

Should the Granit Xhaka transfer materialise, it signals Serie A’s renewed ability to lure prime-age talent from the Bundesliga after several seasons of net exports. A midfield trio of Xhaka, Locatelli and Rabiot instantly positions Juventus among Scudetto favourites, while Milan and Inter may be forced to act in the market to keep pace.

Author’s verdict

Securing the Granit Xhaka transfer would be a shrewd piece of business for Juventus—affordable, impactful and timely. At 31 he offers a two-to-three-year peak window, exactly matching Allegri’s immediate targets. If Giuntoli can close the deal swiftly, Juve’s midfield will once again look worthy of Turin’s lofty standards.